5 burning questions

The Knights were close last season. Really close. But they still finished just 3-6 in their first Big 12 season. A lot of key personnel changes are in order, but the conference also underwent its own makeover by adding four teams for the second year in a row and losing Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC. Coach Gus Malzahn remains confident that his team will outperform expectations. — Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel

Can defense make a comeback?

UCF’s struggles to stop the run resulted in a last-place finish in the Big 12 in rushing defense.

In response, coach Gus Malzahn hired a familiar face, Ted Roof, as defensive coordinator. Roof’s forte is building solid run defenses in more than three decades of coaching.

“The great thing about Ted is that we won a national championship together,” Malzahn said of their time as assistants at Auburn from 2009-11. “We’ve been there at the top of the top. We know a lot about each other. We know how each other responds to pressure situations.”

The Knights also addressed depth concerns by adding more than a dozen players through the transfer portal. Many of those have previous starting experience, such as former Cincinnati linebacker Deshawn Pace.

“As long as we execute and make sure everything is handled right, we’ll be great,” Pace said.

“From what I saw last year compared to this year and just from seeing the tape, the guys took a whole different mindset when Ted came in,” said linebacker Jesiah Pierre, who played at Texas Tech last season. “The biggest thing he’s telling us is there’s no time to waste. Every day is an opportunity to improve. You must be a man and make that decision.”

How will Knights distribute carries at RB?

UCF has one of the country’s deepest and most talented running back rooms, led by Doak Walker semifinalist RJ Harvey. But with Harvey, Johnny Richardson, Myles Montgomery and Peny Boone, carries are at a premium.

Harvey accounted for 48% of the rushing attack and 43% of the team’s rushing attempts last season. His 226 carries were the sixth-most by a Knights’ running back in a season and the most since Brynn Harvey’s 261 in 2009.

“Ever since I’ve been here it’s been about the brotherhood,” said running backs coach Kam Martin. “If RJ is out there, we celebrate RJ. If Johnny’s out there, we celebrate Johnny. If Peny is out there, we will celebrate Peny. The same goes for Myles. It doesn’t matter who’s out there, just get the job done and support your brother.”

Who is the No. 3 receiver?

Kobe Hudson and Xavier Townsend are the cornerstones of the group in 2024, but the depth chart remains somewhat mysterious.

Trent Whittemore, Chauncey Magwood, Jarrad Baker and Tyree Patterson spent time in the system, but no one had more than seven catches last season. Transfers Ja’Varrius Johnson (Auburn) and Jacoby Jones (Ohio) also figure to make immediate impacts.

“I feel like we have a deep receiver room,” Townsend said. “Trent is making great plays, and we’ve got Chauncey and Jarrad, so I feel like we’ve got a lot of players who could just fill that role.”

True freshmen Bredell Richardson, Jordyn Bridgewater, Kason Stokes and Kylan Fox were early enrollees, earning valuable time in the system and turning a few heads in spring. It’s not out of the possibility that they could see the field.

Who steps up as an elite pass rusher?

Six of the top seven tacklers are gone, and with them are most of the team’s tackles for loss and sacks. Edge rusher Tre’Mon Morris-Brash and linebacker Jason Johnson accounted for 27 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, leaving a massive hole in the pass rush.

After a career season in which he recorded 10.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks, Malachi Lawrence hopes to become an elite pass rusher.

“Last year, Josh Celiscar [transfer to Texas A&M] and Tre’Mon were in front of me, so I could just sit back and watch as they went,” Lawrence said. “But now it’s my time to step up. I’ve taken on the role, and I’m working on it.”

Lawrence will have help with transfers Nyjalik Kelly and Daylan Dotson bookending the defensive line.

Can special teams unit return to form?

Colton Boomer struggled with a debilitating foot injury, which led to the kicker missing eight field-goal attempts (13 of 21, 62%), including four of his last six. It was a disappointing sequel to a successful freshman campaign in which he connected on 93% (14 of 15).

Boomer visited a sports psychologist, who helped him regain some of the confidence he’d lost.

Mitch McCarthy’s numbers dipped slightly as the punter went from averaging 43.5 yards per game in 2022 to 41.3. The junior from Australia continues to tweak his form as he learns to master a game he picked up late.

Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com